Lakers' glass looks half full at break

Halfway through the season, the Lakers have won half their games, lost half their games, and are halfway up in the CCHA standings.

But remember before the season, the Lakers were picked to finish last in the league by the CCHA coaches following key offseason departures. Even coach Jim Roque did not disagree with those assessments then.

But after the weekend sweep of Northern Michigan and on a three-game winning streak headed into the three-week break, Roque changed his tune.

"I don't think we're a last-place team at all," Roque said. "I feel pretty good where we're at. Our goaltending has been excellent the last, well, pretty much the whole first half of the year.

"We've grown from the mistakes we've made earlier in the year. We've had a tough stretch there with some guys out," notable junior forward Colin Campbell for the whole first half, junior goalies Kevin Murdock (academics) and Kevin Kapalka (shoulder) for times, and senior Kellen Lain for some time. "I just thought we battled through the first half of the year. We're excited to be in fifth place at Christmas with our team."

The Lakers have split with five teams, were swept at first-place Notre Dame and swept last-place Northern Michigan at home.

The second half of the season sets up to be challenging but manageable. In January, The Lakers host No. 14 Union, which reached the Frozen Four last year, travel to No. 7 Western Michigan, host a struggling Michigan team for the last time in the foreseeable future, go to Ohio State (which the Lakers split with on Thanksgiving weekend) and goalie Brady Hjelle, who is having a Hobey Baker-caliber season with a 1.46 goals-against average and a .959 save percentage. In February, they go to Bowling Green, host Alaska and No. 5 Miami before finishing the season at Northern Michigan.

"At times I thought we were ready to make a step," Roque said. "Like at Notre Dame, then we lose 6-1, at Miami we lose 3-2 in a heartbreaker. I think they've gained some confidence. I'm excited about the group and I'm excited to have a break."

They also get back junior forward Colin Campbell, who missed the first half of the season with shoulder surgery. Campbell was the third-leading scorer last season and led the Lakers on the power play with two goals and 10 assists with the man-advantage. He has been skating in practice and is awaiting the doctor's OK to play.

BRUNETEAU GETS PRAISED: Current and recent Lakers took to Twitter after Saturday night's game to congratulate Matt Bruneteau on his first career goal in 91 games as a Laker. "If you're gonna wait this long to score...might as well be a game winner @MattBruneteau27 #sweep #sweep #sweep #sweep," tweeted former Laker Kyle Pobur, currently an assistant with American International and himself a low-scoring defensemen in his time with the Lakers.

"Congrats to my housemate and shot blocking king @MattBruneteau27 on his first college goal tonight #GWG," tweeted sophomore forward Dan Radke.

Said junior goaltender Kevin Murdock: "Looks like Christmas came early in the soo... congratulations to my roommate and good friend @MattBruneteau27 for his first goal #gw."

His brother, Nick a junior defenseman at Vermont, said "Congrats to my bro @MattBruneteau27 on his 1st career goal..Also a GWG #puregoalscorer."

And former Laker forward Kyle Jean, currently with the Connecticut Whale of the AHL, said "@MattBruneteau27 thataboy bruniiii!!!! #firstlakergino."

Bruneteau has one goal and nine assists in his career. His goal Saturday was his first point of the season.

DOAN GREAT WHEN HE GETS HIS CHANCE: Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. native Michael Doan is not getting much of a chance to prove himself at Northern Michigan.

Doan, who played for both the Soo Thunderbirds and Soo Eagles of the NOJHL and spent most of last season with the Huntsville

See LAKER HOCKEY, page 9

Otters of the OJHL before heading to Marquette to back up Jared Coreau, is having a difficult time cracking the lineup.

Even this weekend, he came in on Friday after Coreau gave up three goals. He finished out the game, did not allow a goal but again found himself on the bench Saturday. Coreau has started every game for the Wildcats this year, with Doan getting just three relief appearances. When he gets a chance, Doan has a 1.22 goals against average and a .973 save percentage -- but he's only playing when the opponents are protecting a big lead, and just 49 minutes, 18 seconds total in three games.

"Michael Doan has continued to grow and improve, without a doubt," Wildcats coach Walt Kyle said. "It's a tough spot for Mike because Jared's going to get the games. I think Jared's a legit top-line goaltender in the league and we're not supporting him the way we're capable of. Having said that, Michael has gone in every night in difficult situations and has been outstanding. He's continued to get better. A lot of credit goes to (Sault Ste. Marie native) Joe Shawhan, who's our goalie coach, and I think Michael's deserved an opportunity to get some starts in the second half. He's earned it."

THE NUMBERS: Three goals continues to be the key for the Lakers, both on the offensive and defensive end. When scoring at least three goals, the Lakers are 8-1; when scoring two or fewer, they are 2-9. When the Lakers give up three or more goals they are 0-7, and they are 10-3 when giving up two or fewer goals. … The Lakers have the third-best power play in the CCHA at 20.5 percent. Only Western Michigan (18) has scored more power-play goals than the Lakers (17). … Nick McParland is tied for fourth in overall points (5-11-16), and Chris Ciotti is tied for fourth in overall goals (eight).

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